Parents of a girl who reported to have been inappropriately touched by a man while flying alone from New York to Iowa have sued the man and American Airlines, saying the airline had failed to protect the girl.
Muhammad Asif Chaudhry was arrested after the flight in July on charges including engaging in sexual contact with a victim believed to be between the ages of 12 and 16.
The man has denied the accusations. He has been released on bond.
The lawsuit says he moved to an open seat beside the girl who had reported to have been woken up by the inappropriate touching from the man.
She told the cabin crew when the man left to use the toilet. The FBI had met the man when the flight landed in Iowa.
The airline, American, says it is cooperating with law enforcement and says its caring deeply about its young passengers on their flights.